Bride's Dad Stops Wedding To Ask Her Stepdad To Walk Aisle With Them

A dad stopped his daughter’s wedding so he could ask her stepdad to walk the aisle with them too. Bride Eleena Merchen, 21, from Belle Fourche, South Dakota, was left stunned when dad Justo Tobar Jr momentarily halted the wedding at the top of the aisle and approached her stepdad Brandon. Justo, 56, and Eleena's mom separated in 2012, and over the years that followed, she built a close bond with Brandon, 45, who has been extremely supportive since coming into her life. Eleena admitted her relationship with Justo has had its ups and downs, but she never stopped loving him, and eventually they have been able to get back to having a relationship she is proud of. During the wedding planning process, she wanted to respect her father so she never asked for Brandon to join her on the aisle, even though secretly it was what she would have liked. But on the day itself at Besler’s Cadillac Ranch in St. Onge, Justo explained how he felt it was only right Brandon was by his daughter's side, too, given how much he had done for her over the years. As the pair walked through a set of doors, ready to head to the altar, Justo asked her to wait at the top of the aisle as he walked to Brandon's seat. Wiping tears from his eyes, Justo took Brandon's hand and guided him back to the top of the aisle, where they then locked arms with Eleena to walk towards her husband, Dusty Merchen. The gesture – a completely unexpected show of love and respect, Eleena said – was captured on video by the couple's wedding videographers, Zsomething Film, on September 28, 2024.
**ADDITIONAL B-ROLL AVAILABLE ON REQUEST**
Release Status:
TV & Digital
Advertising
Location: St. Onge, South Dakota, USA
  • Date Acquired02-10-2025
  • Date Filmed09-28-2024
  • OrientationHorizontal
  • Footage TypeProfessional Camera
  • Rights TV & Digital, Commercial, Publishing

Bride's Dad Stops Wedding To Ask Her Stepdad To Walk Aisle With Them

Order

Bride's Biological Dad Asks Stepdad To Walk Aisle With Them Arm In Arm

Bride Asks Stepdad To Walk Her Down Aisle Alongside Biological Dad

Stepdad Can't Hold Back Emotions During Stepdaughter's First Look On Wedding Day

Bride Whose Dad Was Clemson Tiger When He Met Her Mom Gets Surprised By The Mascot On Wedding Day

Bride Dances With Significant Men In Her Life For Dad-Daughter Dance Follow Father's Passing

Organ Donor's Dad Walks Recipient Down Aisle On Her Wedding Day

Groom Surprises Bride With Their Dog Waiting At Top Of Aisle

Stepdaughter Asks Stepdad To Adopt Her On His Wedding Day

Girl Asks Stepdad To Adopt Her During Wedding

Bride And Dad Recreate Adoption Day First-Look On Wedding Day

Groom Defies Three Percent Odds To Walk Aisle With Bride

Mic Captures Dad's Wholesome Words Walking Daughter Down Aisle

Bride With Cerebral Palsy Walks Unaided Down Aisle On Wedding Day

Groom Stops To Walk Bride Who Had No-One By Her Side Down Aisle

Groom And Father Sob Uncontrollably When Bride Walks Aisle

Hospitalized Dad Determined To Walk Daughter Down Aisle Surprises Her On Wedding Day

Military Husband Can't Stop Crying At The Altar

Couple Decide Against Destination Wedding So Dogs Can Walk Aisle

Bride Surprises 97-Year-Old Grandma In Wedding Dress After She Couldn't Make Wedding

Bride Surprises 100-Year-Old Great Grandma Who Couldn't Attend Wedding

Bride Surprises Mom By Repurposing Her Old Wedding Dress

Bride Gifted Ring Containing Father's Ashes To Walk Aisle On Wedding Day With

Son Gives Emotional Speech To Stepdad On Their Wedding Day

Bride Surprises Grandma Who Missed Wedding By Wearing Dress To Nursing Home

Groom Rises From Wheelchair To Dance With Bride

Bride Stops Off To Visit Grandma Who Couldn't Make Her Wedding To Show Her Her Dress

Bride Surprises Aunt Who Couldn't Make Her Wedding

Mom Who Thought Military Son Couldn't Make Wedding Receives Surprise

Bride Stops Bus On Wedding Day To Surprise Her Grandma In Her Wedding Dress